Lateralisation of escape responses in the stripe-faced dunnart, 'Sminthopsis macroura' (Dasyuridae: Marsupialia)

Abstract

Although lateralisation has been observed in many vertebrate species, marsupials have been neglected in the study of lateralisation. We investigated the behavioural responses of the stripe-faced dunnart ('Sminthopsis macroura') to a mechanical model of a snake approaching into the monocular (left and right) or the binocular visual field. The snake model was presented to 30 adult subjects. The behavioural responses and the latency to react to the stimulus were scored. Reactivity was calculated by pooling scores for retreat, startle, ears back, and orientation. Retreat tended to be the most common of these responses. Approach of the snake into the dunnarts' left monocular visual field elicited a significantly higher reactivity compared to approach into the right or binocular visual field. Half of the animals did not respond in the 60 seconds allocated when the stimulus approached on their right side, whereas only seven did not respond when the stimulus approached on the left, and ten when the stimulus was presented binocularly. These results are consistent with the right hemisphere's known specialisation for controlling fear and escape responses. Our results suggest that marsupials are lateralised in a way similar to other vertebrates.